Why is hydroponics bad? Well, it isn’t really. But, there are some “bad” aspects of it you should know.
The “bad” aspects that I’ll detail in this article create challenges for both hobbyists and commercial growers alike.
But, don’t let these challenges be a deterrent. Be aware of potential obstacles and plan to tackle them as they arise!
I’m going to give you seven reasons I’ve heard people use to say hydroponics is bad.
Reason Hydroponics is “Bad” Number 1: High Upfront Costs
The first challenge of hydroponics I’ll mention is the upfront cost.
Hydroponic systems can be expensive to set up, particularly if you are buying commercial equipment or building a large system.
For example, one of my favorite countertop hydroponic gardens, the AeroGarden Bounty Elite, is currently on sale for $350! Not cheap!
However, costs can be minimized in a number of ways.
First, there are numerous methods to create affordable DYI hydroponic gardens if you are willing to put in a little work.
For the basic garden types like Kratky, you can be up and running with items found around your house.
Here’s an example of a simple single-plant Kratky system I made out of a Planters cashew tub:
Read our article on the Kratky Method to learn more about easy ways to get started at a very low cost.
Reason Number 2: Ongoing Maintenance
Yes, hydroponic systems require regular maintenance! This includes cleaning, pH and nutrient testing, water and nutrient refills, and replacement of worn or broken parts.
Of course, traditional soil gardening has its own challenges with things like pests or sprinkler breakdowns.
Hydroponic growing is no different. It just takes time to learn what your plants like and some practice.
We have numerous articles on our site that can help you maintain your garden!
And, remember, some types of gardens are lower maintenance than others. For example, my Kratky gardens take very little time other than occasionally refilling water and nutrients.
I suggest being mindful of which gardens are lower maintenance when choosing your setup. Here is a helpful guide on how to choose the right hydroponic system.
Reason Number 3: Risk of Catastrophic Failure
Imagine going on vacation for a few days to come back and find the water pump in your NFT system failed, and your crops have died.
This can be a real concern. And, I’ve personally seen it happen.
If something goes wrong with your system, such as a power outage or equipment failure, your plants can die quickly.
As I mentioned above, I recommend you think about the risks of certain garden types when planning your approach and level of risk tolerance as the risk of catastrophic failure is higher with certain hydroponic systems.
Reason Number 4: Limited Plant Selection
This is one of the challenges of hydroponics I find the most interesting.
As an avid gardener, I wish there were more plant options given the size and space limitations I personally have.
Simply put, not all plants are well suited to hydroponic growing.
Therefore, your plant selection will be limited as compared to soil gardening. Even the type of hydroponic system you choose can limit your options for veggies.
The good news is there are still tons of plants you can grow.
Did you know nearly all traditional annual and perennial flowers that grow in a compact way are well suited for hydroponic gardens?
Read our detailed guide for choosing which vegetable plants to grow for help picking a plant.
Reason Number 5: Risk of Contamination
Hydroponic systems can be prone to contamination by bacterial and fungal infections or even pests without proper cleaning and attention.
You can take simple steps to minimize this risk, such as good cleaning practices. Here is a good article containing tips and tricks for cleaning your hydroponic system.
Algae can be a big challenge if you don’t take precautions.
Again, there are steps you can take to mitigate this issue, such as painting reservoirs black to block light or using aluminum foil to cover AeroGarden pots.
Reason Number 6: Energy Usage
This is an important one to consider! Indoor hydroponic systems require artificial lighting which can be energy intensive.
If you are growing indoors, you will absolutely need LED lighting.
Fortunately, LED lighting has become much cheaper and more efficient over time.
You’ll need to consider both costs to buy lights as well as the costs to operate them.
Do your research as there are many great options available for highly efficient and effective LEDs.
Here’s an idea: try growing outdoors to avoid the need for LEDs!
I like to take this approach during the summer months when nighttime temperatures are suitable for growing outdoors.
Reason Hydroponics is “Bad” Number 7: Dependence on Technology
We talked above about the risk of system failure. Failing technology is often the cause.
Hydroponic systems rely on technology to function properly, such as pumps, timers, and sensors.
The level of risk of relying on technology is largely dependent on the type of system you have.
Obviously, a single Kratky jar doesn’t have any technology aside from LED lighting if growing indoors.
The risk of technology failure is minimal in that case. On the other hand, compare that basic Kratky setup to an aeroponics system.
Or, a more extreme example, an industrial-scale grow will absolutely need to be aware that hydroponics is heavily dependent on the success of its underlying technology.
This can be a competitive advantage at the cost of added complexity.
Also, if your components do fail, it can be difficult to diagnose and fix the problem without specialized (and costly!) knowledge.
One final thought – Even a small failure could greatly impact the yield of your system!
Conclusion
As you can see, hydroponics has a number of challenges you’ll want to think about.
By knowing the challenges of hydroponics, you’ll be equipped to plan for them and address any as they arise.
We discuss these benefits in more detail in our article about the advantages of hydroponics.
Feeling ready to move to the next step? Head over to our article to learn how to choose the right type of hydroponic system for your needs.
